Unusual Day – Playing a “Dissolute English Lord” in my First Movie
Posted: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
by Christofer French
Rain Dancer Associates, LLC
It was October 21, 2009. I was unemployed and therefore “free to be in a movie”. My friend Kim, a paralegal who I met first in 1988 at one of the largest law firms in Denver, was also mad for the movies.
When I say “mad for the movies” I mean this Italian girl, full of passion and self-belief quit the paralegal profession, went to film school in New York City, helped co-author a wild and crazy screenplay, got a partner, and obtained funding for an independent feature length film, and oh, by the way, she called me to be in her “flick”.
She told me “Chris, you have got to be in my movie. Can you do a “dissolute English Lord” who is down on his luck?”
I had to give a complicated answer, or how could I claim to be a Thespian? “I can do “dissolute” in my sleep. The “English Lord”, ala James Mason I wouldn’t get into, but I do a great “Alfie” – Michael Cain, playing the ironic and dissolute womanizer – way back in the early 60’s. I saw it in the theatre. I have that role down in my sleep. And if he is now a street person, put a Korean War army green coat on me, and I will play the full effulgence of a sophisticated guy lost in a Colorado town that is inhabited with “Walk Ins” – Aliens who vacation there.
A Thespian Again
I arrived at my audition and hugged Kim with all my loving might. We kissed warmly and since I had this kind of an edge already, I decided to hug everybody – The Producer, Director, Make Up, Props and a couple camera people.
I was given a script and we did a run through of my dialogue. I met the cast that day and found them all to be fun and energetic actors. I got a phone call the next day. I was cast as “Winston”.
This “most unusual day” was the first of about 3 days of shooting. One day we went out to a typical “Colorado Ranch” where a wedding would be held, and I would confer a gift of $50,000 to the new couple. This day of shooting was a perfect sunny October day. Still as could be. It was a perfect day for what we were seeking, a heavenly image of a glowing group of happy rural citizens. My $50,000 gift was a part of my self-revelatory actions. The Street Person becomes the English Lord again.
It turns out that I begin the movie with no dialogue and end the movie with a concluding summation of the entire plot and the fate of the couple who end up having 8 kids. My last piece of dialogue had to do with the people who are “walk ins” and how they come in for romance, vacations and important new realizations about their “cycled” lives.
I Propose a last line for the Film
The line was: “It all makes sense you know? Some of us really don’t know who we are; others of us don’t know where we are going; and others of us don’t know who we were - In any case we can all find --- Love”. The Director loved the line and shot me from 6 inches away, filling up the screen with my street person makeup and Irish Whimsy.
Michael Cain’s accent is characterized, especially in that movie, as a kind of Cockney (street level talk). I thought the accent worked in the movie, even though he was supposed to be an “English Lord”. They bought me a brand new army jacket from an army surplus store. I gave it to my Grandson Dylan, who is now wearing it during the Grand Junction winter weather in Western Colorado. Shooting was completed for me in just a couple days. It was fully shot and in the can in late 2010. They are now working on marketing the film to Sundance and other festivals. Of course, I am looking forward to the film’s release in one of the Festivals. Sundance is one we are shooting for. In 1988, I submitted a script called “Lafferty’s Last Life” that got to the finals at Sundance. I find life is full of tangled ironic networked themes.
The theme of reincarnation or re-embodiment was in my original 1988 script and also with “Walk Ins Are Welcome”. This is a true comedy and full of wacky situational dialogue and events. Kim and I became bound together in Paralegal work and Theatrical efforts. We are still not done being friends. Just last week I saw the finished product. A true feature length film on the big screen in Downtown Denver. It was fun, and we are all still fans of this effort. Who knows where it will end? At this moment in time, I remember thinking of how the act of “Walking In” – a subject that many react extremely negatively to, also has its adherents, but also is a source of entertainment for those who don’t think of it philosophically, but rather as a comedic element.
The screenwriter chose to create a violent scene that would guarantee that the Walk In would lose knowledge of who he was. He arises from his “walked in” state not knowing who he is. Because the original character is accidentally shot at a card game, and the “walking in” sphere descend at the same moment, the new entity comes into a dead brain.
So, the whole first one third of the movie deals with an innocent soul discovering that the man who he is - is a completely selfish, womanizing, hyper-critical, self-indulgent near criminal. This creates lots of humor because he is falling in love with the woman who he has treated very badly. Her reactions are funny, as she unloads resentment and reconciles with him. He is constantly trying to explain himself, even though he knows nothing of the conflicts and situations that his violent self has engendered.
“If You Remain on Earth, You will become Mortal”
It turns out that if he wants to remain on earth, he has to surrender his status as a walk in, and become fully human. Because of his growing love, he decides to remain on earth and become mortal.
The “Dissolute English Lord” – Chris (Winston)– extends a gift, the check which is drawn on an account that only has a few dollars in it. The lesson is -- “OK now that you are going to be human, you are going to have to become subject to the disappointments of the flesh.”
They laugh when Winston says: “I think I forgot about how much money I had in that account. Oh well, I thought that I had the money, and that’s what counts”.
This is a wonderful, funny, offbeat film about a small Colorado town with many inhabitants who are from somewhere else. It is a testament to the Magic of Romance and the transcendence of the manifestations of the Human Heart.
Because I have shared my Most Unusual Day with you, and the ensuing days, I will also update you on the marketing of the film. If you have followed my Fantasy Series – Myra the Alien Princess and Mick the Cab Driver; I think Myra would comment on this Film, like this: “They let humans down here, why not aliens?”
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Awesome, and we do need updates, so we can see the film too. As for the 'walk in' aliens, that is scary. I wrote about my birth experience (I'm RH Neg), and then found out people think we are Aliens...it is just too weird. Paul S won't reply to my comments now...I had never seen those articles on blood type before.
All of my daughters are RH neg.So are both you and your wife Neg? Or did she have to have shots? If I had had the shot all would have been better, at least I think so. I was never supposed to have any children, so I consider myself blessed, even with all the troubles.
Paul sent me link an hour or two ago, so glad he isn't on the Alien thing...it was to the Reptilian Psychics, and his new Resolution. When I read those articles online I could not believe how many people believe that about Rh negs.We were in a certain religion and ignored the RH. I had no idea about the alien connection.Research Rh negative and you will find blogs, articles, accusations and other claims about Rh negatives, I was shocked. There is no alien connection except in their minds...lol
As for the 'religion' nationality connection that may be true, or the Royal connection may have merit, but the "Nephilium (giants-Anuk etc) is questionable. As for Basgue's, they have large (30-35%) percentage of Rh Negs...claim doesn't apply to the O , only the O-; and O Rh negs are only 7% of world population. O rh neg cannot be cloned, that too is weird.
I may be only one in my family with Rh neg , as my parents both had lots of bros and sisters without problems, as well as my grandparents too....also that Rh=rhesus monkey connection for Rh positive is wrong, and other scientists say so, that's why I posted that link address on my son's "Unusual birth article" I wrote the other day. A lot of myths are being dispelled as science becomes more clear.
I am not a Reptilian, that's bizarre as I have a snake phobia, although I do have the extra rib, and the lifelong low BP... I'm not psychic, but I am prophetic at times; I am afraid of heights, so I know I'm not using any UFOs...Yes, I'm being a little sarcastic about those beliefs as I put them up on the 'ridiculous scale'... but this research has really stunned me. I may finish looking for that link to one particular ancestor...too weird.NOW, I am going to research. BOTH of my wives are RH Neg, and I have joked for decades that they are my ETs. They have an other worldly calm about them and serene smiles. Other than that that's all I have ever heard of. Now I am on the hunt.1. On the question re: pointed suggestion, I sent u via contact email my suggestions, and why.
2. Here is a link:
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/biggestsecret/biggestsecretbook/biggestsecret02.htm
The above is my favorite 'delusional explanation' of Reptilians and for Rh Neg (3rd para under title Sons of God several pgs into article) You will love this one, it so bizarre and has about 7 or 8 Conspiracy Theories woven into it...This kind of thinking is dangerous.
Enjoy.
Chris, well done-well said, Looking forward to the next installment(s)Looking forward to new stuff from you. Thanks for your comments.
I too have RH blood- it's the RH factor in itself that falls under suspicious scrutiny- whether positive or negative. Like all ancient myths and stories, there is a basic core reason, obscured beneath all the embroidery of time, which indicated something "different" about this particular bloodline. Not knowing that basic core reason, humans, as they will do, invented their own.
Enjoyed this Chris- it's so you- Always Ella
Bravo. By all means write updates for us. I can imagine and picture a "thespian" Christofer French - all distinguished, bearded and manly. Now, man, I'd like that autograph, please!
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